Unit 3 - Emerging Nation Vocabulary

A comprehensive vocabulary review of key figures, treaties, laws, constitutional concepts, and political structures during the early development of the United States.

John Adams

1735-1826, 2nd president of the U.S. 1797-1801; a leader in the American Revolution.

Administration

Governance; a group constituting the political executive organization in a presidential government. Ex. the Bush Administration.

Alien & Sedition Acts

Four acts passed in 1798, during the administration of John Adams, with the aim of curbing criticism of the Federalist party at a time when war with France seemed likely. These acts helped to consolidate the opposition against the Federalists, led to the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, and contributed to the Federalist defeat in the 1800 election.

Alliances

Associations of nations or political parties, for example, for a common purpose or objective.

Ambassador

A diplomatic official sent by one state to another as its resident representative in that foreign nation.

Appointment

To designate someone to an office. For example, the President appoints judges to the Federal Courts.

Bank of the United States

Alexander Hamilton's idea (1791) to have a central bank, controlled by the Federal government. This became a major states-rights issue.

Bankruptcy

Financial ruin or poverty.

Cabinet

Appointed officials who head government departments and act as advisors to the President.

Capitalism

Economic system characterized by private ownership of the means of production and by private initiative, competition, and profit.

Central Government

The national government or federal government, such as the United States government in Washington, DC.

Chief Executive

In referring to the United States government this is the president of the United States.

Chief Justice

Head of the Supreme Court.

Commerce

Trade; the buying and selling of goods between cities and/or nations.

Commerce Clause

A clause found in Article I of the Constitution stating that there will be no tax on exports.

Credit

Confidence in a person's ability to fulfill a financial obligation at some future time.

Democratic-Republicans

The political party of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the late 1790s, which opposed many views of the Federalists. They emphasized states' rights, a strict interpretation of the Constitution, civil liberties for individuals, and a preference for agriculture and rural life. Their foreign policy views supported the French rather than close ties with Britain.

Diplomat

Someone who represents the government of his/her nation in its dealings with the government of another country.

Domestic

Pertaining to matters within the country.

Economy

A system dealing with how people and countries use their resources to produce, distribute, and consume goods and services.

Embargo Act of 1807

A law that stopped trade with foreign countries in an effort to convince Britain and France of the importance of neutral trade. The act ended up hurting US commerce.

Excise Tax

A sales tax on manufactured goods produced within a nation.

Farewell Address

Referred to as Washington's Farewell Address. Its main points included: assuming leadership in the Western Hemisphere, developing its own trade, and not entering into permanent alliances with foreign nations, especially with Europe.

Federalists

The political party which emerged during the 1790s, led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. They favored a strong central government, loose interpretation of the Constitution, encouraged commerce and manufacturing, and close ties with Britain.

Foreign Policy

The diplomatic policies and position taken by a nation toward other nations regarding political or economic relations, insuring the protection of their own self-interest.

Free Trade

The exchange of products without tariffs or quotas.

Alexander Hamilton

Secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington and leading Federalist. Wrote Report on Manufacturers, supporting industry in America.

Imports

Products entering a country from a foreign source.

Interstate Commerce

Trade between two or more states.

Jay's Treaty

(1794) Negotiated by John Jay, it was supposed to stop Britain from impressing United States sailors and selling guns to the Native Americans. However, neither problem was solved with the resulting agreement.

John Jay

A Federalist who served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and Secretary of State; negotiated the Jay Treaty, settling post revolutionary war disputes with Great Britain.

Thomas Jefferson

Third President of the United States (1801-1809) who believed that an agrarian society of educated common people could lead the nation. This "Renaissance Man" was also the founder of the University of Virginia and author of the Declaration of Independence.

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to decide the constitutionality of laws prepared by the Legislative and Executive branches of the U.S. government; established by the 1803 case of Marbury v. Madison.

Judiciary

Having to do with the court system.

Loose Interpretation

Interpreting the US Constitution in favor of strengthening the power of the federal government by often stretching the meaning of its delegated powers by using the elastic clause; that is, using implied powers.

James Madison

Called the father of the Constitution because he kept copious notes of the process; 4th President of the United States; strong Federalist.

John Marshall

As Supreme Court Chief Justice, he supported a loose interpretation of the Constitution to help increase the power of the federal government. Established the procedure of judicial review with his decision in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

George Washington

Commander-in-chief of the Continental army during the Revolutionary war and America's first president. He was elected for two terms before retiring to his home in Mount Vernon in Virginia. In his Farewell Address he expressed his wishes that the country remain neutral in foreign affairs.

Midnight Judges

Federalist judges appointed by outgoing President, John Adams, at the last minute. Thomas Jefferson, the new Democratic-Republican President, did not want so many judges from the opposing political party and tried to withhold their appointments. Ultimately, this controversy was decided in the Supreme Court case, Marbury v. Madison.

National Bank

A bank chartered (controlled) by the government.

National Debt

The total money owed for loans, goods, and services by the Federal Government.

Necessary and Proper Clause

The last paragraph of Article I, Section 8 of the US Constitution that explains that Congress has the right to make all laws that are "necessary and proper." This clause stretched the power of Congress and is also called the elastic clause.

Northwest Territory

An historical United States region extending from the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to the Great Lakes.

Ohio River

Flows west into the Mississippi River.

Pinckney's Treaty

(1795) Negotiated by Thomas Pinckney with Spain, it gave the United States access to the Mississippi River and the "right to deposit" at the Port of New Orleans.

Policy

A plan of action.

Political Party

A group organized around certain ideas and philosophy of government; for example, Democratic and Republican Party; or the formation of a "third party," the Progressives, in the 1912 election.

Political System

The method or tactics involved in managing a government.

Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions

Written in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts (1790's) which limited immigration and imposed harsh penalties for anti-government protest. The Resolutions challenged these Acts, saying that they denied states-rights and individual freedoms.

Precedent

Basing actions or decisions on previous experiences or laws; serving as a standard or example upon which one deals with new situations.

Proclamation of Neutrality

Issued in 1793 by President George Washington in response to revolutionary France's request that the new United States nation send help. This statement set forth the United States policy of non-intervention and isolationism.

Protective Tariff

A tax placed on imported goods to protect a nation's industry from foreign competition.

Secretary of State

A member of the President's cabinet. The responsibilities of this post include foreign affairs.

Secretary of the Treasury

A member of the President's cabinet who advises the President on matters related to the domestic economy.

Sedition Act

An act passed in 1798, during the administration of John Adams, providing for restrictions on free speech and freedom of the press. The result was that editors supporting Jefferson's views were prosecuted under this act.

Strict Constructionist

Someone who takes the Constitution very literally and does not see it as a flexible, interpretive document.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the federal government; part of the Judicial Branch; final interpreter of the U.S. Constitution.

Supreme Court Decisions

Rulings made by the highest court in the land. These decisions often set social and economic standards for the nation.

Two-Party system

Usually refers to the political parties that have grown to dominate US political thinking, such as the Democratic and Republican parties, organized to promote and support principles and candidates for office.

Unwritten Constitution

Precedents, judicial decisions, expansion of legal power and procedures not officially in the Constitution.